The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-07-27
Other Peoples Boys.

=" 1t is strange, considering you have
never had any boys of your own, that
you should be so interested in other
peoples boys" said a man, in tone of
inquiry, to another noted for his inter-
est in young people. All" came the
CHEEKY answer, while look of vearn-
ing shone in his eyes, " it does not
seem strange to me that l should care
for other peoples boys even if l have
none of my own. Every boy upon
Gods footstool is somebody's boy and
is dear to somebody, either in this
world or the other. Somehow Pm in
terested in everybody's boy" Yes,
yes, of course you are; not doubt of
it," laughing. g You put yourself out
more than l would TO please everybody's
boy-I wouldn't bother So" g But
get blessing every time. Isn't that
worth the effort? | read little story
in one of the papers I'd like to tell you,
my friend" "About somebody's bov?"
i" Exactly" - Go on with your story"
g 1t is this: Through Rochester runs
the Genesee river between steep and
rocky banks. There are falls in the
river and dark recesses. One time
gentleman who lived in the city had
just arrived on the train from Journey.
He was anxious to 90 home and meet
his wife and children. He was hurry
ing along the streets, with a bright Wis
ion of home in his mind, when he saw
on the bank of the river lot of excited
men. What is the matter?' he shouted.
They replied: A boy is in the water,'
Why don't you save him?' he asked.
In moment, throwing down his carpet
bag and pulling off his coat, he jumped
into the stream, grasped the boy in his
arms and struggled with him to the
shore, and as he wiped the water from
his dripping face and brushed back the
hair he exclaimed 20 God, it is my
boy!'' The writer then commented on
the incident thus: He plunged in
for the boy of somebody else and saved
his own. So we plunge into the waters
of Christian self-denial, labor, hardship,
reproach, soul-travail, prayer, anxious
entreaty; willing to spend and be spent,
taking all risks to save some other one
from drowning in sin and death, and
do not know what refeXive wave of
blessing will come to our souls. In seek
ing to save others we save ourselves
and those most dear to us, while others,
too selfish to labor to save other peo-
ple's children, often lose their own"
" That's good tale" d" Yes, so it is;
the blessing is sure to come with every
duty done. While there are other peo-
pies children to save | shall ALWAYS
lend a hand" And he always did.
The days sped on-the months rolled
away-even the years had counted up
to the last, and over the body of this
noble man the heart-broken pastor
sobbed out the words: " He sleeps as
he lived, IN Jesus" " Other peoples
boysW how they flocked about him as
he lay on his white couch, pale and
still, with smile upon his lips. How
they moaned and sobbed and wrung
their hands in grief unutterable! /" He
watched beside me when was sick and
sufferingl" said one, tearfully. i" He
took my hand and led me away from
the pit toward which was Keeling, and
pointed out the way toward the Rock"
sobbed another poor fellow. g He gave
me word of cheer when | was so dis
couraged / couldn't see my way.n re-
marked third, with quivering lips. 81
never in all my life loved any one as |
loved that man." boy yet in his teens
said, brokenly. My heart was bleed
ing when he came to me, but his good
ness and tenderness healed the wounds"
Sweet life! Precious life! Life of sweet
revealing. when it passed it left its per-
fume in the souls of other peoples chill
dren,-ETchdn0e